AB 946

This bill requires a health care plan to provide coverage of smoking cessation

treatment that is provided in conformity with recommendations set forth in the most

recent Clinical Practice Guideline for treating tobacco use and dependence

sponsored by the Public Health Service of the federal Department of Health and

Human Services, as well as coverage of medications that are approved by the federal

food and drug administration and prescribed for smoking cessation. The coverage

requirement applies to both individual and group health insurance policies and

plans, including defined network plans and plans offered by cooperative sickness

care associations; to health care plans offered by the state to its employees, including

a self-insured plan; and to self-insured health plans of counties, cities, towns,

villages, and school districts. The requirement does not apply to limited benefit

health care plans, such as dental or vision plans, or to health care plans that cover

only specified diseases. The requirement may be subject to any limitations,

exclusions, or cost-sharing provisions that apply generally under the policy or plan.